Palas, who declined comment to The Ledger, said during the hearing that he plans to open a restaurant at the location regardless of the decision. He will be allowed to serve beer and wine at the location, which has been named Preservation Hall.

Commissioners revisited the topic of how many bars should be downtown during the discussion.

Troller said Palas has been treated unfairly by city officials during his year-long attempt to open the bar.

“We should give people an opportunity without government intervention,” Troller said.

Selvage said he wanted to compromise by allowing Palas to return in about a year after the restaurant opens.

“I'm not persuaded that the process is flawed to the point where we need to overturn it,” Selvage said.

The complaints, the number of bars downtown, and the location of the bar, which would be close to Munn Park and Explorations V, a children's museum, were reasons why the conditional use was denied, city officials said.